Huge blow to Afghanistan as star bowler ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025, left-arm spinner named replacement

“AM Ghazanfar, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to a fracture in the L4 vertebra, specifically in the left pars interarticularis. He sustained the injury during Afghanistan’s recently held tour of Zimbabwe, and will be sidelined for a minimum of four months and will remain under treatment during this period,” the ACB said in its statement on Februay 12.

Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote has been added to Afghanistan's 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Kharoti was a part of Afghanistan's reserves pool. Kharoti has played seven ODIs and claimed 11 wickets at an average of 16.54 including two four-wicket hauls.

Meanwhile, ACB gave an update on Mujeeb Ur Rahman as well. The spinner did not get picked as a replacement as he is yet to recover from his injury. 

Afghanistan's updated squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran. Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami

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Afghanistan's Champions Trophy schedule

Afghanistan will begin their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Temba Bavuma-led South Africa at National Stadium, Karachi on February 21. Afghanistan's next two group matches will be held at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on February 26 and 28 against England and Australia respectively.

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Headache for Mumbai Indians

This is a big blow for five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians (MI) as well. They snapped up the 18-year-old spinner for a whopping Rs 4.8 crore in the mega auction last year. If Ghazanfar does not recover in time, they will have to look for a replacement. 

Ghazanfar has played 11 ODIs so far and claimed 21 wickets at an average of 13.57. He registered his best of 6 for 26 against South Africa last year. His economy rate is 4.05 runs per over.